Not sure how none of these guys can manage to sign him for more than a couple of years. I mean.. late 2008 the guy had already won a slam and went on to win the WTF.. why wouldn't Head (or Wilson, for that matter) sign him for like 5 years and make use of his name?

Not sure how none of these guys can manage to sign him for more than a couple of years. I mean.. late 2008 the guy had already won a slam and went on to win the WTF.. why wouldn't Head (or Wilson, for that matter) sign him for like 5 years and make use of his name?

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If you "knew" you were going to get better, a short term deal allows you to hit "free agency" quicker. Aggressive thinking on Nole's advisers part.

If you "knew" you were going to get better, a short term deal allows you to hit "free agency" quicker. Aggressive thinking on Nole's advisers part.

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in this case, being aggressive paid off. one could tell djokovic had a lot of upside early in his career, but he plateaued when he first made the switch, albeit for various reasons, and that made a lot of things look a lot more uncertain. his stock certainly fell for a while. but it all worked itself out.

Agree too. records show he changed his endorsements whoever pays more.
Adidas to ST
ST to Uniqlo
Wilson to Head
Head to ???

Racket might not be same situation like Apparel endorsements though, Since Apparel does not make him playing better tennis hahaha. Changing racket might need to have adjustment periods and no one wants to waist any time in their career. realistically Wilson, Head and Babolat might be the company who might be able to offer the decent contract to ND. I will be very surprised if Yonex even try to offer any contract to ND. I think rest of racket companies won't be able to make any offer to ND. Wilson and Babolat already have many endorsements so Head might be the front runner.
Business is business so his management will be big part of this game. will see who will be willing to spend extra $$$.

Agree too. records show he changed his endorsements whoever pays more.
Adidas to ST
ST to Uniqlo
Wilson to Head
Head to ???

Racket might not be same situation like Apparel endorsements though, Since Apparel does not make him playing better tennis hahaha. Changing racket might need to have adjustment periods and no one wants to waist any time in their career. realistically Wilson, Head and Babolat might be the company who might be able to offer the decent contract to ND. I will be very surprised if Yonex even try to offer any contract to ND. I think rest of racket companies won't be able to make any offer to ND. Wilson and Babolat already have many endorsements so Head might be the front runner.
Business is business so his management will be big part of this game. will see who will be willing to spend extra $$$.

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Silly guy! Who in their right mind would go for more money if there is an opportunity?!

Anyway, how do you know the terms of his previous contracts??? My understanding is that UNIQLO did not really give him more than ST per contract terms, however, ST miscalculated the bonuses and could not pay...

If he didn't sign with giants like Nike and Adidas (and instead Uniqlo), maybe it's not money he's after. I think he's after something that's unique his. Originality and notoriety is what he wants: something no other player has, and he wants a company that can deliver it to as many customers and fans as possible.

Sergio Tachini was fairly unique but lacked the ability to deliver product supply to the masses. He dropped them.

The Head Speed series are his, in the way Federer has the Tour 90's, Nadal somewhat has the AeroPro, and Sampras had the 88.

Silly guy! Who in their right mind would go for more money if there is an opportunity?!

Anyway, how do you know the terms of his previous contracts??? My understanding is that UNIQLO did not really give him more than ST per contract terms, however, ST miscalculated the bonuses and could not pay...

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Ha. there is no silliness for this kind of thread.
no one knows about actual ND's contract. we only guess/speculate his contract. I felt that if ND is loyal to certain company, he might take less money to stay. Especially, I don't understand Adidas to ST. Adidas and ND lunched ND's own brand then ND went ST... this incident strongly indicates that ST offered more money. Also If uniqlo does not give more money than ST, Why he signed with Uniqlo instead of restructuring contract with ST?
there is so many things no one can answer perfectly unless someone worked for these contracts. Just don't act like you know everything.

Notwithstanding the money, eastern Europeans seem to have a particular affinity for Head products. A Romanian friend of mine only plays with Head and tells me people in that region, perhaps because of the proximity to "Head"quarters in Austria, would rather play with Head products, all other things being equal. So I imagine it might be difficult to lure Novak away as Head could likely match the money.

Notwithstanding the money, eastern Europeans seem to have a particular affinity for Head products. A Romanian friend of mine only plays with Head and tells me people in that region, perhaps because of the proximity to "Head"quarters in Austria, would rather play with Head products, all other things being equal. So I imagine it might be difficult to lure Novak away as Head could likely match the money.

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They also had a affinity for Fischer, Kneissl, and Voelkl racquets. I think its a trend.

Babolat seems like it'd be the best choice for him, they're clearly doing the best job marketing right now and if his contract was incentive laden it would make him even more money. Babolat would monopolize the market if he joined, conversely, Head would definitely go bankrupt within 3-5 years if he leaves their brand.

One thing is for sure, he'll stick to his Wilson nBlade 98 racquet regardless of who he goes with since he keeps winning, likely stay with head since he already has them painted... I can't imagine he could realistically pull it off as a Babolat paint-job, the throat is WAY different.

One thing is for sure, he'll stick to his Wilson nBlade 98 racquet regardless of who he goes with since he keeps winning, likely stay with head since he already has them painted... I can't imagine he could realistically pull it off as a Babolat paint-job, the throat is WAY different.

Babolat seems like it'd be the best choice for him, they're clearly doing the best job marketing right now and if his contract was incentive laden it would make him even more money. Babolat would monopolize the market if he joined, conversely, Head would definitely go bankrupt within 3-5 years if he leaves their brand.

This doesn't really conclude anything but is useful to see the difference with the Speed Pro you can buy... clearly the beam is thicker (but not as wide), its also slightly thicker at the tip, and head shape slightly different...

Which Wilson frame does he use then I thought it was the nBlade 98, was the one before this?

I know he started off using Head Radical MP, then changed to Wilson 98, and he's stuck with this ever since.

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He Started out using the LM Radical MP, Switched to the Wilson H22 (which is a frame only available to Tour players), and then Switched back to the HEAD using a frame that is custom made from the Microgel Radical MP.

This doesn't really conclude anything but is useful to see the difference with the Speed Pro you can buy... clearly the beam is thicker (but not as wide), its also slightly thicker at the tip, and head shape slightly different...

Babolat seems like it'd be the best choice for him, they're clearly doing the best job marketing right now and if his contract was incentive laden it would make him even more money. Babolat would monopolize the market if he joined, conversely, Head would definitely go bankrupt within 3-5 years if he leaves their brand.

He Started out using the LM Radical MP, Switched to the Wilson H22 (which is a frame only available to Tour players), and then Switched back to the HEAD using a frame that is custom made from the Microgel Radical MP.

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Hi are you sure it's a radicals mold? It has a thicker beam which tapers larger at the end and has a diff rent head shape?

Yes I agree with vsb, definitely looks like the old Radical MP mold used last used for the Microgel version. As we know, Head changed the Radical mold again recently when going to the Youteks. I think it's funny how all these Babolat fanboys want so much for ND to switch...

I think Djoker should throw us all a curve ball and switch to Donnay! :razz:

In all reality though, I think he'll probably stick with Head. It makes sense and it gives them a large market presence along side Murray. Plus, why change what works? (Unless the extra money is REALLY substantial!)

To be honest , i don't think nole will make the change , as his career is at his very best , sticking head is fun , and i think he will keep on with the contract.
Speed line is a big seller, so i dont think head is dropping novak anyway, especially the line up of Murray and djokovic is a big HEAD 2 Head these days

Just want to put in a comment, just because the racquet says "Head,Babolat,Yonex" or whatever,it still would be his old one, he wouldnt have to change anything but colors, Unless he swaps to yonex ofc,due to the isometric shape.